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The Dreammaker
Judith Stacy
Kaitlin Jeffers Had Big Dreams Dreams that would take her far beyond a delapidated store in the middle of nowhere.And if she couldn't banish the memory of Tripp Callihan's melting kisses, or fight her growing feelings for his impish little boy, she was going to wind up in his one-horse town forever!How his search for a life filled with ordinary pleasures had led him to join forces with a woman like Kaitlin Jeffers, Tripp would never figure out. But he knew for a fact that whatever happened next, he'd try his best to make himself and his son a part of Kaitlin's dreams… .
Table of Contents
Cover Page (#u9960c226-a189-56a2-9150-f915097caea3)
Excerpt (#ub340f94d-e573-5375-85a5-a5ded44a2b4c)
Dear Reader (#u5ee54567-2be3-5d66-94bf-ebc7c0f6ea74)
Title Page (#u53498261-d414-55c0-8f73-de4cbf8cc256)
About the Author (#ubea2b31d-9524-5fdd-8393-434a3b1a798c)
Dedication (#u710a2f71-00e6-57e8-9f6a-1d0f35232780)
Chapter One (#uf760a285-9dce-535e-a85b-c136e1680ea6)
Chapter Two (#u5f4465ff-7b2a-571c-af35-c42c50c288aa)
Chapter Three (#ua81b5b57-32ef-5526-bd47-c071826f3f29)
Chapter Four (#u04b88a01-b798-5b7b-b23e-9df238000827)
Chapter Five (#u638b5a0b-9202-5e85-baa1-c72835698536)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Kaitlin tightened her grip on the broom.
“Have you changed your mind? Do you want to back out?”
“No, I’m not backing out. I’m fixing up the place. I’m keeping my end of the bargain.”
“Can’t you at least be pleasant in the process?”
Tripp rolled his eyes. “It’s not enough for you that I’m doing it? I have to like it, too?”
Kaitlin swung the broom at him, swatting him squarely on the chest. “Yes! Yes, you have to like it!”
Tripp fell back a step, stunned.
She advanced on him, clenching the broom in her fist. “Yes, you have to like it, Tripp Callihan! This is my life you’re a part of now, and I won’t have you griping, moaning and complaining about everything. Life’s hard enough without your own partner dragging you down! Do you understand me?”
He understood, all right. Better than Kaitlin Jeffers would ever imagine…
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Harlequin Historicals—stories that will capture your heart with unforgettable characters and the timeless fantasy of falling in love!
Rising talent Judith Stacy is back this month with The Dreammaker, set in 1880s Nevada. Known for her light, feel-good stories, Judith has again written a tale about family and finding oneself—and love—along the way. Here, two very different people, a single father and an aspiring actress, are swindled by the same man and become business partners to recoup their losses and realize their dreams. Ironically, love—the dream of a lifetime—is right in front of them!
Award-winning author Gayle Wilson returns with a mesmerizing Regency-style romance, Lady Sarah’s Son, about sweethearts, torn apart by tragedy, who reunite in a marriage of convenience and can no longer deny their enduring love…In The Hidden Heart, a terrific medieval tale by Sharon Schulze, a beautiful noblewoman must guard her heart from the only man she has ever loved—the Earl of Wynfield, who has returned to her keep on a dangerous secret mission. And don’t miss Cooper’s Wife by rising talent Jillian Hart, a heartwarming Western about single parents—a sheriff and a troubled widow—who marry to protect their kids, and find true love.
Enjoy! And come back again next month for four more choices of the best in historical romance.
Sincerely,
Tracy Farrell, Senior Editor
P.S. We’d love to hear what you think about Harlequin Historicals! Drop us a line at:
Harlequin Historicals
300 E. 42nd Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
The Dreammaker
Judith Stacy
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
JUDITH STACY
began writing as a personal challenge and found it a perfect outlet for all those thoughts and ideas bouncing around in her head. She chose romance because of the emotional involvement with the characters, and historicals for her love of bygone days.
Judith has been married to her high school sweetheart for over two decades and has two daughters. When not writing, she haunts museums, historical homes and antique stores, gathering ideas for new adventures set in the past.
To Judy and Stacy, who keep me grounded To David, who gives me wings
Chapter One (#ulink_55ea27ad-ce17-5bad-bd59-4ccd4edc43b1)
Nevada, 1884
Every conception should be this delightful.
Kaitlin Jeffers turned sideways, studying her round belly in the big oval mirror. She stretched out her arms and rested her palms on the bulge. Goodness, she could hardly reach all the way around.
A wide grin parted her lips. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Kaitlin faced the mirror making sure the folds of her black dress hung straight. She looked down to be certain the hem touched the tops of her kid shoes, and laughed aloud. was her big stomach.
Looking up, she saw her reflection in the mirror and forced the smile from her face. She’d have to remember not to make that mistake again. Maybe she should have rehearsed more.
A metal key scraped in the door behind her, and in the mirror she saw Isabelle Langley walk into their hotel room. Tall and thin, her friend was even more a contrast to her now.
Kaitlin turned sideways and dropped her hands onto her belly. “Come to admire your brother’s handiwork?”
Isabelle’s eyes widened and she fell back against the closed door. “Saints alive, Kaitlin, I can’t believe you!”
Kaitlin’s smile broadened and she wiggled back and forth. “Looks good, huh?”
“It looks horrible!” Isabelle sheltered her eyes, then drew in a breath and looked at her again. “I can’t believe my brother let you talk him into this.”
She patted her round belly affectionately. “He does good work, wouldn’t you say?”
“You’re disgusting.” Isabelle tossed her armload of packages onto the brass bed. “I found a bonnet like you asked for in a millinery shop down the street—it’s the ugliest one in this whole town. Of course, there’s not much here to choose from.”
“And just as well.” Kaitlin turned back to the mirror and tucked a stray lock of brown hair behind her ear. “The smaller the town, the better. We need to be in and out of this place quickly.”
Isabelle unpinned her hat. “Please, Kaitlin, think this over. It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Kaitlin sighed impatiently. “You promised you wouldn’t nag if I let you come along.”
“You don’t know what might happen. You don’t know these people. What if they toss you in jail?”
Kaitlin planted her hands on her hips. “Who in their right mind would throw a woman in my condition in jail?”
“You don’t have a condition!”
She bounced her fists off her belly. “Yes, I do.”
“I’m going to kill my brother.” Isabelle shook her head slowly. “He’d better stick to harness making from now on.”
“Leave him out of this. He only did what I asked. And did it very well, I might add.” Kaitlin leaned her shoulder closer to her friend. “You can’t see the straps, can you?”
Isabelle glared at her, then walked over. “No.”
“How about in the back?” Kaitlin turned around.
“No.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Good.” Kaitlin turned and lifted the bulk of her belly higher. She frowned. “This might be uncomfortable, if I were really pregnant.”
Isabelle moaned and covered her face with her hands. “Kaitlin, please don’t do this. You can’t go around pretending to be pregnant. Somebody will find out.”
“No one will find out. We’ve never been to this town before—neither of us. No one recognized us on the stage this morning, or when we checked-in. We’ll be out of here on the afternoon stage. What can go wrong?”
“A thousand things!”
Kaitlin drew in a determined breath. “That crook Harvey Stutz stole every dime I had in this world. Tricked me out of it, and waltzed away with a big smile on his face. I’m getting it back—no matter what I have to do.”
“But Kaitlin—”
“You know what I’d been saving that money for.”
Isabelle’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, I know.”
“Harvey Stutz stole my dream.”
She nodded sorrowfully. “I know.”
“He pretended he liked me, pretended he cared about me, until I told him about all the money I’d saved. Then he broke into my room and took every cent.” Kaitlin squared her shoulders. “Well, he’s dead now, and if it means pretending to be his pregnant widow to get back what belongs to me, then so be it.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. Now, help me get ready.”
Isabelle pried open the hat box she’d tossed on the feather mattress and took out the black, straw bonnet. “Try this on.”
